Body harness



Sept. 27, 1932. PURES 1,879,480

BODY BARNES S Filed Aug. 2, I929 Patented Sept. 27, 1932 JOHN L run-Es, or xnannmr, NEW JERSEY BODY HARNESS Application filed August 2 1929. Serial No. 382,988.

The present invention relates to improvements in harness and has reference more particularly to a device as adapted to be worn by a person while in the act of lifting and carry- 5 ing various objects of considerable weight.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a body harness that can be readily and easily positioned on the body, the harness being of such construction 19 as to relieve the body from strains at the shoulder, as well as across the backpreferably over the kidneys and also at the front of the body over the abdomen, when the harnessis employed in lifting heavy objects.

Another important obj ect of the present invention is to provide a body harness of the above mentioned character wherein means is provided for adjusting the various straps associated with the harness, there being asso- O ciated with the shoulder strap, suspension hooks whereby the objects to be lifted and carried may be attached to the harness as well as readily detached therefrom.

Another important object of the invention resides in the provision of a body harness of the above mentioned character which is so simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further Well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the body harness embodying my invention, and

Figure 2 is an edge elevation of one of the pads showing the straps attached thereto, the free ends of the straps being unbuckled.

In the drawing for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates generally my improved body harness, the same comprising the leather shoulder pads 2 that are adapted to be disposed across the respective shoulders of the wearer. A strap 3 preferably of leather is disposed longitudinally across each shoulder pad and the intermediate portion of the leather strap 3 is riveted or otherwise fixedly secured to the adj acentportion of the respective shoulder pad as indicated at 4 in Figure 2. Therivets are so arranged as to provide a pair of loops 5 for the reception of suitable buckles 6.

The free ends of each shoulder strap 3 are adapted to be bent back upon themselves to form looped portions 7 and the free ends of the strap 3 are formed with spaced openings to cooperate with therespective buckle 6 as more clearly suggested in Figure. 1. The free ends 8 of the strap 3 are shown in Figure 2 as being disengaged from the respective buckles." Suitable snap books 9 of the conventlonal construction are suspended from therespective loops 7 the eye portion of each.

snap-hook being" engaged with the respective loops 7.' as. clearly shown in the drawing.

A front strap 10 is provided at its upper end with a ring 11 that detachablyengages with the forwardmost snap hook 9., i A rear strap 12 is adapted to detachably engage with the respective rear snap hook that is associated with the shoulder strap 3. A ring 13 is carried by the lower end of each front strap 10 and the lower end of each rear strap 12 carries a buckle 14 whereby an adjustable loop 15 is provided and this loop 15 engages with the respective ring 13 as shown very clearly in Figure 1. In this manner, the front and rear straps 10 and 12 of each pair are connected together at their lower ends.

An adjustablestrap member 16 is suspended from each ring 13 and carried by the lower end of each adjustable strap is the object engaging or suspension hook 17. This feature is also clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing.

Extending transversely between the rear straps 12 is the leather pad 18, and this pad 18 preferably, extends acrossthe back of the body of the wearer over the kidneys.

. A similar pad 19 extends transversely across the front straps 10 for disposition over the abdomen of the bodyof the wearer.; The front and rear pads are to be detachably associated with the respective front and rear straps 10. and 12 and to this end, there is secured on the outer face of each of the trans- When the harness is positioned on the body of the workman, the shoulder pads 2 will fit snugly across the shoulder while the front straps 10 will be disposed downwardly along the front of the body adjacent the side with the rear straps extending downwardly along the rear side portions of the body and the front transverse pad- 19 will extend across the abdomen while the rear pad will be disposed across the kidneys. In this manner, the strain caused by the suspension hooks 17 holding up a heavy object that is being lifted and carried will be relieved from the aforementioned parts of the body and the heavy article can be moved from place to placewithout difliculty and without causing any injury to the person wearing the harness while in the act of lifting and carrying a heavy object.

The simplicity of my device enables the harness to be readily and easily positioned on the body and removed therefromand furthermore can be constructed at a very low cost. Also abody harness of this character will at all times be positive and eflicient in carrying out the purposes for whichit'is designed. j Employment of special accessories such as webbing, loops, receptacles of varying sizes of preferred materials, and special designs may be had in connection with the suspension hooks 17 with a view of preserving the finish of the objects being lifted and carried by the harness.

Body harness, as shown and described, is adaptable to the single lift and carrying of objectsby single individual, two persons. in combination lift and haul, and as many other persons needed depending on weight'of the object, required lifting strength, and carrying point. 7

Body harness being of such construction to relieve the body from serious injuries, when the harness is employed, is also adaptable for other important uses; namely, workmen employed in ofl"-ground work can use 17 interchangeable hooks and special accessory devices, if needed, as a safety factor from falls. With equal distribution of weight from shoulders, individuals as employed in loft-ground work are relieved from lower body tension and serious injury.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to ticle engaging hooks at their lower ends, front and rear pads extending horizontally with their ends overlapped by intermediate portions of the front and rear straps, shoulder pads extending between upper ends of the front and rear straps, eyes carried by the front and rear straps at their upper ends and intermediate their ends, respectively, and a strap extend ng longitudinally upon each pad and. having its free end portions folded back and adjus'ably secured to form loops, and hooks carried by said loops, the hooks for the straps carried by the shoulder pads being engaged with the eyes at the upper ends of the front and rear straps and the hooks for the straps carried by the front and rear pads being engaged with the eyes intermediate the ends of the front and rear straps.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN A. PURES. 

